Fortuitous collaboration

I really should put in for a transfer to the Diplomatic Corps, Elsa thought to herself wryly, as she took a sip of her tea, poring over the morning directives and waiting for Lieutenant Saalkan's arrival.

With as many meetings as he has had over the last week, Saalkan wondered when he was going to get any work done. He then supposed it didn't matter since his capability to research had been greatly diminished. His Vulcan melancholy had dessicated into apathy by the time he reached Lieutenant Johansson's office.
He buzzed the door. "You wanted to see me, Lieutenant?"

"Lieutenant Saalkan, please, have a seat," Elsa said as she stood up. Heading to the replicator, she turned back to ask, "Water, ten degrees Celsius, if I remember correctly."

"Yes, indeed." Saalkan offered a faint smile, then remembered he was asked to sit down. He complied. "What did you wish to discuss with me?"

"I had a talk with the Captain about your situation," Elsa began, placing the glass of water in front of the Vulcan before sitting down with her own cup of tea. "I'm not sure what her final decision will be on your rank, but I understand that is a matter of minimal concern to you. On the other hand, access to the ship's data has been restricted, which I know is detrimental to your research goals. The Captain wants that restriction to be kept in place, but has given me the authority to allow you the access you need for your research, the only caveat being it will require a voice authorization from me each time you need to access the ship's data storage."

Saalkan was quiet for a moment, though his expression seemed to soften. "It is a solution which may prove as ineffectual as my preemptive action," he said at length before adding, "but you have my gratitude." He sipped from the water, approximately a third of the glass, and then asked, "How is this arrangement supposed to work in practical, daily terms? Am I to come to your office or work station every time I seek access to information which is not public on the Galactic Network?"

"Actually, Mr. Saalkan, I was hoping that I could use this opportunity to collaborate on a short term project with me, at the end of which, I will ask the Captain to revisit the restrictions she's placed on you," Elsa answered.

"Indeed?" Saalkan's eyebrows arched well into his forehead. "I will certainly oblige you."

"What do you know about the synthesization process used to create bioneural circuitry?" Elsa asked.

"I know it consists of fibers that are grown rather than assembled or replicated," Saalkan said. "But I have not personally synthesized them before."

"I want to investigate the possibility of duplicating the process, but rather than carbon, I want to use silicon." Elsa finished her cup of tea and, as she moved to the replicator, asked, "Are you sure I can't get you something besides water, Lieutenant Saalkan?"

"I am a temple," Saalkan said. "But thank you. How would you like to begin your experiment?"

"I have lab space reserved for us," Elsa answered. She studied the replicator for a moment, then decided to forgo a second cup of tea. "If you have no objections, we can go there now and set up for our research."